Rigger/experienced press mover—Roanoke, VA?

Rippeon, Bob Oldham does a good tutorial on how to safely move a Washington. He also used to live in that area. Best james

Perry Tymeson of Suitcase Press is based further north in NJ, but has helped me move a large Hoe press. He has a gantry for the disassembly and reassembly. You know this already, but DO NOT attempt to move it without taking it apart.

DGM

Thanks, James and Dan. I’ve been in touch with Bob, who has been an enormous help. I had a rigger who bid on the job, but has since resisted my instructions to disassemble. So I’m still looking for assistance, hence the post. I need at least a second/third set of hands and some of the larger equipment for the loading. (Taking bids is marginally cheaper than renting all the equipment myself, thus far.)

Thanks!
Andrew

Andrew, when are you thinking to move the press? If the destination is a small or larger city, there is probably a tool rental shop that will have the hydraulic shop crane like that I used, and the 4-wheel furniture dollies as well, or buy them at Home Depot. I wish I could help in person, but I am pretty far away, and not as strong as when I was moving presses. I found that buying the equipment cost me less than paying a rigger, and I re-used the equipment several times. Unfortunately is is gone now.

Bob

Bob, trying to move the press as soon as possible. The current owner wants the space back before the weather turns, and seems less inclined to move things carefully. I’ve got a few additional leads for assistance with the move, but also some of your instructions in case bids come in too high or too late. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks,
Andrew

Andrew, I have apparently lost the information about where you are - can you please let me know the current location? I still have that press in Bedford, VA!

Bob

Andrew, as an alternative idea, buy yourself a 2-ton hydraulic shop floor crane (2-ton capacity) - a couple of hundred dollars from Amazon or such - and just pick the assembled press up with it and move it where you want it. The press weighs about a ton or a bit more, and the crane is on wheels. You could add a small 4-caster furniture dolly under the forestay or have someone to lift the end of the bed rails while moving the press. Much simpler and probably cheaper than the platform/pallet, and safer to use the press on the floor. Be sure to only move it with the bed under the platen!

Bob